柳

栁/桺
liǔ
卯 + 木

Definitions

liǔ (noun) willow tree
Liǔ (noun) willow wood; willow branch

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 卯 represents the sound. Simplified form of 栁.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 卯

About

柳 is a phono-semantic compound: the left radical 木 gives the meaning of trees or wood, and the right component 卯 supplies the sound. It refers to the willow tree, valued for its supple branches and rich cultural associations, willows evoke spring and were often used in classical parting rituals, symbolizing both flexibility and sentimental farewells. The character's structure straightforwardly uses 木 to mark its botanical category and 卯 to distinguish it from other tree names. Beyond its botanical sense, 柳 also commonly serves as a surname. It is the simplified form of the variant 栁.

Example Sentences Hide

河边有一棵柳树。

Hé biān yǒu yī kē liǔ shù.

There is a willow tree by the river.

柳树的枝条很柔软。

Liǔ shù de zhī tiáo hěn róu ruǎn.

The branches of the willow tree are very soft.

春天柳树发出新芽。

Chūn tiān liǔ shù fā chū xīn yá.

In spring, the willow tree sprouts new buds.

柳絮在风中飞舞。

Liǔ xù zài fēng zhōng fēi wǔ.

Willow catkins dance in the wind.

她喜欢在柳树下乘凉。

Tā xǐ huān zài liǔ shù xià chéng liáng.

She likes to cool off under the willow tree.

柳枝随风轻轻摆动。

Liǔ zhī suí fēng qīng qīng bǎi dòng.

Willow branches sway gently with the wind.

公园里的柳树长得非常茂盛。

Gōng yuán lǐ de liǔ shù zhǎng dé fēi cháng mào shèng.

The willow trees in the park grow very luxuriantly.

柳叶的形状像细长的眉毛。

Liǔ yè de xíng zhuàng xiàng xì cháng de méi mao.

The shape of willow leaves resembles slender eyebrows.

Related Characters

Component: 卯

聊 峁 铆 昴 茆 泖 窌 珋 鉚 駠

Component: 木

样 机 相 果 权 格 术 根 极 林 集 查 李 标

Example Words

柳州 垂柳 柳丁 柳城 柳宗元 柳州市 柳暗花明 柳林 柳条 柳树 柳橙 柳永 柳江 柳絮 杨柳 残花败柳 牛柳 花红柳绿 猪柳 银柳 鸡柳 垂杨柳 寻花问柳 春柳